order 1 of 2

noun

Definition of ordernext
1
as in sequence
the way objects in space or events in time are arranged or follow one another you always keep your books in perfect alphabetical order we haven't found out the order of the speeches yet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in organization
a group of persons formally joined together for some common interest a religious order

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in type
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common collects movie posters, photographs and autographs of the stars, and other memorabilia of that order

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in medal
a piece of metal given in honor of a special event, a person, or an achievement a book with full-color illustrations of British orders and decorations

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in shape
a state of being or fitness finally got the car back in working order

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in instruction
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned the commander issued an order that the number of guards for the prisoner be doubled

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in class
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped the lower orders were once expected to be content living out their lives as servants to the upper classes

Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in category
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic regards draftees as an entirely different order of soldier and less desirable than volunteers

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order

2 of 2

verb

ˈȯr-dər How to pronounce order (audio)
1
as in to arrange
to put into a particular arrangement I've ordered all of my CDs according to type of music he likes to order his life so that there are few surprises

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to request
to give a request or demand for the players ordered hamburgers for lunch

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to ask
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority the teacher ordered that everyone sit down immediately and be quiet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to instruct
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority the police officer ordered the crowd to back away from the suspect

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb order contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of order are arrange, marshal, methodize, organize, and systematize. While all these words mean "to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to each other," order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate confusion.

ordered her business affairs

Where would arrange be a reasonable alternative to order?

The words arrange and order are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, arrange implies a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment.

arranged the files numerically

When can marshal be used instead of order?

The meanings of marshal and order largely overlap; however, marshal suggests gathering and arranging in preparation for a particular operation or effective use.

marshaling the facts for argument

When would methodize be a good substitute for order?

While in some cases nearly identical to order, methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme.

methodizes every aspect of daily living

When might organize be a better fit than order?

In some situations, the words organize and order are roughly equivalent. However, organize implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as a unit with each element having a proper function.

organized the volunteers into teams

In what contexts can systematize take the place of order?

The synonyms systematize and order are sometimes interchangeable, but systematize implies arranging according to a predetermined scheme.

systematized billing procedures

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of order
Noun
Some offer to send cease and desist orders which sound good but are totally unenforceable. —Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025 Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for tiny communities near State Route 166 as flames moved through hilly terrain toward the Carrizo Plain National Monument, about 45 miles east of Santa Maria. —arkansasonline.com, 5 July 2025
Verb
Serving breakfast, an all-day menu, and dinner, everything can also be ordered directly to your room or enjoyed in the communal terrace dining space. —Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025 In June, Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate whether the Biden administration sought to conspire to cover up his mental state while in office, and to look through Biden's use of the autopen. —Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for order
Recent Examples of Synonyms for order
  1. sequence
  2. organization
  3. medal
  4. shape
  5. instruction
  6. class
  7. arrange
  8. request
Noun
  • Researchers have genomically analyzed three specimens to date, but in each case, poor DNA preservation resulted in only partial sequences.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 July 2025
  • The goal capped a pass sequence that showcased the patient buildup Smith sought versus the Orlando defense.
    — Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2025
Definition of sequence
Noun
  • The organization’s musical repertoires have grown exponentially over the years to include tens of millions of works, giving music users more music and more choice, the spokesperson said.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 10 July 2025
  • Many of the local organizations Best Friends Animal Society is working with on the ground are operating based on donations and there are wish lists available online for anyone interested in purchasing specific things needed by shelters on the ground.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2025
Definition of organization
Noun
  • The 10 other individual athletes who have received the medal include Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Jack Nicklaus and Billie Jean King.
    — Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 10 July 2025
  • For his service in Little Rock, Davies was awarded the Legion of Merit medal.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 9 July 2025
Definition of medal
Noun
  • Anderson, specifically, took the bob one step further, adding micro bangs to round out the shape.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 15 July 2025
  • In addition to the new sound, the shape of the 6 N is obviously quite a bit different than that of the SUV-silhouette of the Ioniq 5.
    — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2025
Definition of shape
Noun
  • The first is do not send or accept wire instructions by email.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2025
  • Some sirens can broadcast specific instructions, which can help.
    — Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 11 July 2025
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • The Net Rating model views Minnesota and Utah as being a tier beneath those three wild-card striver class teams.
    — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • Graduates are invited back for ongoing group classes, continuing their aquatic journey from floating and diving to building advanced swimming skills.
    — Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Definition of class
Verb
  • Horowitz spent decades arranging for Sondheim’s archives to come to the Library of Congress.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025
  • The controversy comes at a time the United States is trying to arrange a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
    — Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Definition of arrange
Verb
  • By postgame Friday, Correa felt good enough to request to play in Saturday’s afternoon game, but Twins trainers declined.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • In July 2022, Citizens’ Board of Governors approved allowing the company to modify its policies with a rider that gave Citizens or its policyholders the right to request arbitration by DOAH.
    — Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2025
Definition of request

Phrases Containing order

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ordeals
order
ordered
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Cite this Entry

“Order.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/order. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on order

Nglish: Translation of order for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about order

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